Multi-Probe Temperature Sensor Layout for Flow Variation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature sensors experience erroneous measurements when exposed to fluids or gases experiencing temperature changes due to variations in temperature.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor design featuring a housing with exterior grooves for securing thermocouple probes and an interior passage for a resistance thermometer, allowing for multiple sensing elements to mitigate measurement variations by offsetting local temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single temperature probe is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to variation errors in fluid or gas flow environments
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is segmented into multiple independent probes (at least two probes) positioned at different locations within the housing. Each probe independently measures temperature at its specific location, and the individual measurements are processed (averaged or weighted) to produce a final temperature indication. This segmentation allows the system to capture temperature variations across different positions, reducing measurement errors caused by fluid or gas flow while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature probes are positioned at different locations, then the measurement precision improves by offsetting local temperature changes, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and housing structures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature probes are merged into a single integrated housing structure that contains all probes, mounting features, and processing elements. The housing incorporates grooves or mounting structures for securing multiple probes, and includes an interior passage for fluid or gas flow that exposes all probes to the environment. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate devices into one unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the benefits of multiple measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support and protection for the probes, defines the flow path through its interior passage, incorporates mounting features (grooves) for securing probes, and houses the processing elements for combining probe readings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling precise multi-point temperature measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides reduced variation error and improved accuracy in temperature measurements by averaging or weighting individual sensor readings, enhancing installation simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a set of thermocouple temperature sensors mounted to the housing in the set of grooves
Implementation Method 2
a resistance thermometer mounted to the housing and extending through the interior passage
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor for accurately measuring a temperature, such as that of a fluid where the temperature is changing, can include a substrate with an exterior surface having a first surface and a second surface spaced by sidewalls. The temperature sensor can include a set of temperature sensor probes along the exterior of the substrate. The temperature sensors can be arranged among a first surface and a second surface of the substrate in order to reduce or eliminate temperature measurement discrepancy.